Accused Oregon car theft ring leader arrested, facing 16 charges
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man was arraigned Friday after being indicted and arrested on 16 charges in connection to a car theft ring spanning multiple states.
According to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, 21-year-old Aric Adams was identified as the main suspect and ringleader of a car theft ring after a months-long investigation conducted by the MCDA Auto Theft Task Force and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. Officials say the investigation was also aided by the group PDX Stolen Cars.
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Officials say they learned the theft ring involved newer American-made muscle cars, such as Dodge Challengers and Chevrolet Camaros, some of which were valued at over $70,000 each. The ring allegedly paid those involved a few hundred dollars every time they provided information on where the targeted vehicles were located. Members of the ring would then go and steal the cars, unlocking them with an electronic device, without needing the original key, authorities said.
The ring would then allegedly go on to sell the stolen vehicles via social media.
Authorities say one incident of note happened in the early morning of March 26, when a man reported his 2016 Chevrolet Camaro stolen. As the car was being stolen from outside his home by multiple suspects, the man had tried to communicate with them. However, he told police that he stopped communication when he saw a green laser pointed at his chest, fearing he was going to be shot.
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Three separate incidents also detail the theft of a Chevrolet Camaro in downtown Portland, a 2017 Dodge Charger Scat Pack and a 2015 Dodge Challenger.
A grand jury indicted Adams on July 30 on charges related to each of the four incidents, including:
One count of first-degree robbery with a firearm
Two counts of second-degree robbery
Four counts of first-degree theft
Four counts of possession of a stolen vehicle
Three counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle
One count of unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm
One count of unauthorized use of a vehicle with a firearm
On August 8, Adams was arrested at his home in Central Point, Oregon and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center.
As the case is still under investigation, anyone with information relating to these car thefts is encouraged to contact the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.
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